Book2:KigdomIteDreams

surroundedAmalia,coaxiotakinghersedative,wheedliogoingupstairstoherroom.Theretheysoothed,coddledandwaitedoiltheyhadhersettledinherbed.EveheydidnotdaretoleaveheraloneincaseshegotitintoherheadtogofindDimitriandactupagain.TheyknewDimitriwasanxiousandworried,sotheywaosavehimanyunnecessarydisturbaheytoldAmaliastoriesandjokesandtriedtokeephermindoccupied.MeggidownstairsaDimitrioutofthesmallsteroom.Thetwoofthemsatsilentlyinthebackyard.

    “Somethingmayhappentonight”saidMegginn“soIdecidedtostayhereforthenightinsteadofgoingback.”

    “Butit’ssocrowdedhere!”

    “Itdoesn’tmatter.Themorethemerrieranditfeelscozyandintimatetobewithmysisteragain.”Dimitrinoddedanddidnotreply.

    “IfI’mnotmistakes”tinuedMegginn“therewillbemoresistersfromtheKingdomjoiningusatthegirls’dormhere.AmIright?”

    “Isthatso?Ithinkyouhavesomeinklingofwhat’sgoingtohappen.”Megginnnoddedawoofthemsatthereinsilence.

    “QueenAishaalwayssaidthatMegginnwaslikeabeautifulpeonyinfullbloom.”Dimitrithought.“Sheisright.Megginnisadazzling,colorfundartlesspeony.Ordinarilysheishappyandcarefreeasayounggirl,butwhehinghappens,shesobersupandbeesaresolute,sharpandquick-wittedstrongwoman.Sheisreallyagreathelperheavenhassentme.”

    Anear-gratingscreegoftiressplitthesilehenight.RichardandJamazwalkinginunsteadilyonwobblyfeet,quiteobviouslyintoxicated.

    “Whyarethetwoofyousote?”beratedDimitri.“Ihavebeeernoonandmostofthenight!”

    10

    “Thingswerenotaseasyasweexpected”repliedRichard.“Wemetsomeloaferswhoalsoloiteraroundstreet